Maui’s Barnes & Noble Hosts Holiday Book Drive for MEO Head Start Program
Barnes & Noble in Kahului is holding a holiday book drive to benefit the Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Head Start program. The drive will run until December 12. Customers can buy books at the store and donate them to support preschoolers.
MEO’s Head Start program serves about 180 children across eight sites on Maui and one on Molokai. It offers free preschool to families, many of whom cannot afford the typical monthly cost of $1,000. Barnes & Noble has supported MEO in previous years, donating many books to the program.
MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe expressed gratitude to Barnes & Noble and its staff for choosing the Head Start program as the beneficiary. She highlighted the importance of books for children’s development, emphasizing that reading lays the foundation for future success.
How can community members get involved with MEO’s Head Start program or similar initiatives?
Interview with Debbie Cabebe, CEO of Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO)
News Directory 3: Thank you, Debbie, for joining us today to discuss the holiday book drive at Barnes & Noble in Kahului. Can you tell us how this initiative supports the MEO Head Start program?
Debbie Cabebe: Thank you for having me. The holiday book drive is a wonderful opportunity for the community to support our Head Start program, which serves around 180 children across Maui and Molokai. By donating books, you are providing the children with valuable resources that promote early literacy. Reading is essential for a child’s development and lays the groundwork for their future success.
News Directory 3: Barnes & Noble has been a supporter of MEO in the past. What does their continued involvement mean for your program and the families you serve?
Debbie Cabebe: We are incredibly grateful for Barnes & Noble’s ongoing support. Their generosity allows us to provide quality educational materials to families who often struggle to cover the typical preschool costs. Knowing that we have community partners who believe in our mission is invaluable, and it sends a strong message about the importance of investing in our children’s futures.
News Directory 3: Could you elaborate on what types of books are suitable for donation this year?
Debbie Cabebe: Absolutely! We are encouraging donations of board books and picture books, as these are ideal for our preschoolers. It’s important to note that only books purchased at the Barnes & Noble in Kahului will be accepted. When customers buy these books, they can let the cashier know they are for the drive, and that contributes directly to our program.
News Directory 3: The MEO Head Start program has been around for quite some time. How has its mission evolved over the past 59 years?
Debbie Cabebe: Yes, MEO Head Start has a rich history of empowering families and young children. Over the years, our mission has remained focused on providing free preschool education to families in need. However, we continuously adapt our programs to meet the changing needs of our community. This includes integrating new teaching methods and materials that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our children and families.
News Directory 3: Thank you for sharing these insights, Debbie. Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about the book drive?
Debbie Cabebe: I just want to encourage our community to participate in the book drive before it ends on December 12. Every book donated makes a difference in a child’s life. We invite everyone to join us in fostering a love for reading among our young learners. For more information, feel free to call us at (808) 249-2988. Thank you for your support!
News Directory 3: Thank you, Debbie. It’s been a pleasure learning more about the positive impact of the holiday book drive.
To donate, customers should inform the cashier that they are purchasing books for the drive. Suitable donations include board books and picture books. Only books bought at Barnes & Noble in Kahului will be accepted.
MEO Head Start is one of the organization’s first programs, established 59 years ago. For more details, call (808) 249-2988.